Gastrointestinal Issues

A New York Times article states that Coca-Cola does not offer enough fluid and electrolyte replacement to be good for a typical upset stomach. According to an article in The Daily Mail, doctors use Coca-Cola to treat painful gastric phytobezoars, stomach blockages that lead to bowel obstructions when untreated.

A:WebMD contributor Dr. Michael W. Smith says many types of food poisoning are contagious. Although a person usually gets food poisoning from eating contaminated food, it is possible to spread the germs responsible for the illness to another person.

A:According to U.S. News, kidney stones usually take 72 hours to pass after symptoms appear, but certain cases can take weeks. Factors such as the shape of the stone and its location affect how long it takes to pass.

A:Digestion is the process by which the body obtains nutrients from the environment, notes Wikipedia. Without these nutrients, a living body would gradually run out of the energy necessary to maintain health. Eventually, a body that can no longer digest food starves to death.

A:Colon doctors may be called gastroenterologists. They are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and management of digestive system diseases. Doctors who solely treat conditions associated with the colon, rectum and anus are called proctologists.

A:According to WebMD and the NHS, one of the primary symptoms of kidney stones in men is sudden, severe pain that comes in waves, especially around the back, side, abdomen, groin or genitals, including the testicles and scrotum. Symptoms may also include nausea, painful urination or blood in the urine.

A:According to WebMD, the medical term for burping is "eructation." The site reports that the air in eructation originates from either the stomach or the esophagus, and the action is sometimes accidental and sometimes purposeful.

A:Fox News lists a number of natural remedies for acid reflux, including chewing gum, eating licorice, drinking aloe juice, taking melatonin supplements, and consuming a mixture of water and baking soda. These remedies work by either coating the stomach, helping to neutralize stomach acid or reducing inflammation in the stomach. Many of these remedies have not been approved by the FDA, so it is recommended to consult a doctor first.

A:According to WebMD, stomach pain and bloating are common signs of indigestion. Indigestion is caused by certain medications, medical conditions like stomach infections, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, and lifestyle factors that include smoking, alcohol consumption and stress. WebMD explains that individuals experiencing abdominal pain and bloating should consult with a physician to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

A:The best natural remedies for trapped wind are peppermint, ginger, fennel or caraway seeds, or bicarbonate of soda, notes Reader's Digest. Using probiotic remedies, like Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacteria, in capsule or liquid form can also help.

A:According to Dr. Oz, the best way to beat bloating naturally is to remove or minimize items from the diet that are known to cause bloating, such as excessive starches, lactose, sodium and artificial sweeteners. Along with these diet modifications, taking dandelion tea, magnesium, potassium and probiotics along with eating plenty of fiber can help to ease the symptoms of bloating.

A:According to Sacred Medical Order Church of Hope, a "bilious attack" or "biliousness" is related to various unpleasant symptoms due to bile secretion or digestion disturbance. Causes of a bilious attack include liver congestion, unstable diet, constipation, migraine, reduced bile secretions and acidosis.

A:The production of bile makes the liver an important organ within digestion, as it emulsifies fat, much like dish soap acts on fat and grease to split it into smaller pieces. This process makes it much easier for the body to process fats. Hepatocytes within the liver also absorb much of the glucose that comes from digested food and stores the sugar as glycogen for later release. This helps the body regulate its sugar levels.

A:Leaky gut syndrome is a mysterious condition affecting the stomach and intestines, according to WebMD. Symptoms include gas, bloating, food sensitivity, cramps, aches and pains. As of 2014, doctors know little about the condition and have a difficult time making a diagnosis.

A:Symptoms of colitis include diarrhea that may contain blood, pus or mucous; fever; abdominal pain and cramping; rectal pain and bleeding; the urgent need to defecate and the inability to do so; weight loss and fatigue, according to Mayo Clinic. Other symptoms are anemia, joint pain, redness and swelling, and liver problems, adds WebMD, as well as constipation and gas, according to About.com.

A:Gastroenteritis typically lasts only one or two days, but in some cases, it may last for a week, WebMD advises. Gastroenteritis is the medical term for an upset stomach and is sometimes called "stomach flu," although this term is inaccurate.

A:A contracted gallbladder is one that is diseased and smaller than normal. The contraction of a gallbladder in such a situation typically is caused by scarring. The contraction or shrinking of a gallbladder prevents it from functioning normally.

A:Typical symptoms of H. pylori are similar to those caused by gastritis or peptic ulcers, and they include a gnawing or burning abdominal pain that is worse when the stomach is empty and alleviated somewhat after eating, drinking milk or taking an antacid, according to WebMD. Other symptoms can include weight loss, bloating, burping, nausea, vomiting and black, tarry stools.

A:Excessive saliva is caused by an increase in the body’s saliva production or a decrease in a person’s ability to swallow or keep saliva in the mouth, says Mayo Clinic. Some causes of increased saliva production include improperly fit dentures, gastroesophageal reflux disease and a mouth or throat infection.

A:A GI doctor is a gastroenterologist, a doctor whose area of expertise is the digestive system. According to the American Gastroeneterological Society, the digestive system includes the intestines, liver, pancreas and gall bladder, which work to break down food and deliver nutrients to the rest of the body.

A:A New York Times article states that Coca-Cola does not offer enough fluid and electrolyte replacement to be good for a typical upset stomach. According to an article in The Daily Mail, doctors use Coca-Cola to treat painful gastric phytobezoars, stomach blockages that lead to bowel obstructions when untreated.

A:According to WebMD, Clostridium difficile is bacteria that causes colitis in the large intestine. This bacteria may begin to colonize a person's large intestine whenever she is taking antibiotics and her normal digestive flora is disrupted.